Hand held cable comb

ABSTRACT

A hand held cable-untangling tool with a fanned array of ridged tines ( 11 ) bent at a 85 degree angle ( 17 ) with rounded tips ( 12 ) at one end. The tines do provide a separation ( 13 ) to allow material, like low voltage cable to pass between them. At the other end to grasp and maneuver the tool a prolate rigid handle ( 14 ), Providing a loop ( 15 ) to hang the tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to untangling large bundles of newly installed cable, specifically local area network computer (Cat5) and telephone wiring, before terminating it on patch panels and or connecting blocks, in buildings being rewired or wired for the first time.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0005] In the past, cable installers (technicians) would have to use their fingers or a screwdriver to comb out a bundle of cable. Just as combing your hair with your fingers does not give a well-groomed look, it was not very effective on low voltage cable either.

[0006] After consulting other cable installers as to how they go about untangling cable, the installation technicians that take pride in their work, and invest the time to untangle the cable, use their fingers or a small screwdriver; almost like a one toothcomb. This kind of activity can keep a skilled technician busy all day, depending on the cable bundle size.

[0007] Upon researching prior art, nothing similar was uncovered. U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,020 to McGeary (1983), has a similar title and abstract, the use of the tool is to comb the inside conductors of a flat cable and in no way offers the maneuverability or handling ability. In addition, according to the figure the edges are so sharp that cable sheath damage would result if it were to be used on network or any other low voltage cable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,573 to Meder (1986), also has a similar title and description but the tool is used for untwisting inside conductors of a twisted pair cable. If it were to be used on any twisted pair cable still in the sheath, it would likely damage the conductor insulation inside the cable due to “pinching constraints,” enforced by the national electric code. U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,780 to Phillips (1988), has a similar arrangement of tines but the tool is the wrong size to fit between small network wires. If made smaller the tines still would not be of the right shape to allow wire to slip between them. U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,945 to Jenner (1998), this tool will not comb or align cable, but rather it will just remove insulation.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0008] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of this invention are a hand tool that when used correctly would be:

[0009] (a) will not damage cable sheaths “does not have sharp edges”;

[0010] (b) will not pinch or smash inside conductor insulation causing cable integrity to be compromised;

[0011] (c) just the right size for local area network cable category 5 and industry standard telephone cable, and a number of other low voltage wire and cables.

[0012] (d) light and easy to maneuver

[0013] Other objects and advantages of this invention are: untangling cable with far less effort than previous methods, causing less fatigue to the installer, increasing the speed of untangling the visible area of a cable bundle between a ceiling and the termination point, and reducing the time it takes to train a new installer to untangle a cable bundle.

[0014] Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

[0015] The invention of the “Hand Held Cable Comb,” has the visual appearance of a miniature leaf rake, with a fanned array of tines on one end attached to a handle just large enough to be held by a single hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a top view of the Cable Comb invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side view of the Cable Comb invention.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a view of the end of the head of the Cable Comb invention.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a view of the opposite end the handle of the Cable Comb invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 of the drawings for the purpose of illustrating this invention, there is seen distinct shaped tines 11 with straight back shanks protruding from a prolate rigid handle 14 in a fanned arrangement bent at a 85-degree angle (17) ½ inch from the end of the tines 11. Tines have rounded non-sharp tips 12, there is enough room to allow computer and telephone and other low voltage cable to singularly fit between tines 11 in a provided separation 13 between the tines. The attached handle 14 is to grasp and maneuver the tool. At the end of the handle 14 there is a loop 15 to hang the tool.

[0022] The wire that makes the comb's tines 11 runs all the way through the handle 14. Then at the handle 14, the tines 11 are welded, providing strength and rigidity to hold the cable comb together.

[0023] Tines 11 in this illustration and prototype are built from 11 gage steel wire, originally intended for supporting suspended ceiling grid. (Though plastic would be better for production and possibly ease of use.)

Operation—FIG. 5

[0024]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the tool in use with one hand on the handle inserting the tines singularly in-between the Cable 16.

[0025] To use this tool all one needs to do is, insert the tines into any bundle of cable, appropriately sized cable to singularly fit between the tines and pull gently but firmly. The motion is to pull the handle parallel to the cable, the tines will be perpendicular to the cable moving aft the handle. The tines will reposition the cable parallel to one another in the cable bundle some of the cable crosses are almost braided like in the way they are tangled. These will stop the comb, by pulling it away from the bundle with the cable still hooked in the tines; the tool will separate the tangled cables from the bundle far enough for the installer to grasp with their hands. These will need to be pulled out of the bundle by hand, sometimes one cable at a time to get the tangles out of the center parts of the cable bundle.

[0026] If the distance to untangle the cable is less than four or five feet starting at the ends of the cables and working into the cable bundle, combing out a small amount of tangles at a time. Much like combing a child's long hair, starting at the ends and working toward the child's head, will also give satisfactory results.

[0027] If the cable bundle is not severely tangled as in most cases, then just by pulling the cable comb along the body of the cable bundle with the tines inserted into cable bundle. Leaving them inserted while stopping the pulling motion to install a nylon tie wrap (zip tie) about every 8″ to 16″ apart serves to constrain the cable bundle in tact and proper orientation.

[0028] This method of combing has greatly reduced the amount of time it takes to align the cables making a very nice looking bundle.

[0029] In addition to reducing installation time, use of this tool will lessen the time it takes to train someone new to the task of wire installation. With minimal practice, a new installer can do the quality work of a very experienced installation technician.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

[0030] Accordingly, the reader will see that the hand held cable comb of this invention can be used to untangle low voltage cable easily and conveniently and,

[0031] Additionally it reduces the time it takes to untangle a bundle of cable

[0032] Reduces the amount of time it takes to teach a new installer how to untangle a cable bundle.

[0033] This invention can be used easily without damage to the cable being untangled. The rounded tips do not cut or tear the cable sheath (if used on a animal or person the smooth rounded tips will not cut skin either.)

[0034] This invention works on all low voltage cables that fit between the tines.

[0035] Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the handle and tines do not have to be made of metal wire they could be made of plastic or other compounds or a combination of different materials. The tines do not have to be bent at an 85-degree angle; ten degrees either way will still work although any over 90 degrees will lessen the efficiency of the tool. The tines and head also could be removably interlocked from the handle like U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,061 to Mason (1979), & U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,496 to Gregson (1980), the comb head possibly could be made to fit that termination tool handle. Furthermore, this very sturdy rigid comb could be used on many other types of materials such as horse main and tail hair and other animals that have coarse hair. Additionally zookeepers could use this tool for their animals grooming and hygiene. This tool also might find a use in the kitchen or garden.

[0036] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

I claim:
 1. A comb head device comprising: a prolate rigid handle having a fanned array of separated tines at one end arranged perpendicular to said handle; and whereby said device enables user to untangle material by grasping said handle, inserting tines in tangled material, and pulling it in same direction.
 2. A method of aligning tangled material comprising: inserting tines of the devise into tangled elongated material, like low voltage cable, and pulling said device handle in parallel direction of said material, tines of said device align said material as they travel along its body, and whereby aligned said material must be secured in aligned position with a constraining apparatus to maintain it in its new shape. 